A startling new report has revealed the scale of abuse faced by female politicians in Ireland, with almost every woman surveyed saying they have experienced online harassment during their time in public office.

The research, carried out by Women for Election as part of an EU-wide project, found that 96% of female TDs and Senators have been subjected to online abuse, while many have also received threatening messages and sexually explicit or demeaning content. 

Almost half said the abuse has changed the way they work in their constituencies, with many becoming more cautious about public engagements and canvassing.

Campaigners say the findings raise serious concerns about the impact of gender-based abuse on democracy and on women's willingness to enter and remain in public life.

Chair of the Women's Parliamentary Caucus and Louth Fianna Fáil Senator Alison Comyn joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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A group of mothers and mothers-to-be is calling on the Government to protect access to private maternity care, saying women have been largely excluded from the debate over proposed changes to maternity services.

The campaign group, Our Maternity Choice Ireland, has been formed in response to plans under Sláintecare that could see private maternity care phased out of public hospitals. The group argues that women should continue to have a choice in how and where they receive their maternity care and says the issue has not been properly discussed with the public.

A petition calling on the Health Minister to protect private maternity care has already gathered thousands of signatures.

Sarah from Our Maternity Choice Ireland joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about all of this.

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US President Donald Trump has said he is considering travelling to Ireland later this year for the Irish Open, which will be held at his Doonbeg golf resort in Co Clare.

In a video message played at US Ambassador Geraldine Byrne Nason’s Independence Day celebrations in Dublin, Mr Trump said he hoped to attend the tournament and watch what he described as “Rory and all the great players”. He added: “I think I’m going to come over, and I’m going to see it.”

The Amgen Irish Open will take place at Trump International Golf Links Ireland in Doonbeg from September 9 to 13.

In the same message, Mr Trump also spoke about Irish-American ties, praising the long-standing relationship between the two countries.

Larry Donnelly, law lecturer at the University of Galway and political columnist with The Journal, joined us on The Agenda this morning to us some more about this.

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Buying financial products online could soon become a lot more consumer-friendly, after new protections were signed into law giving people the right to speak to a real person instead of relying solely on chatbots or automated systems.

The changes mean consumers can request human intervention when taking out financial products or services online or over the phone, helping to ensure they fully understand the implications before signing a contract. 

The new legislation also targets so-called "dark patterns" – online marketing tactics designed to pressure or manipulate people into making purchases they might not otherwise choose.

We found out more about all of this on The Agenda this morning.

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This morning on The Agenda, we dsicussed the growing frustration over illegal and dangerous parking in Dundalk, after a local man told us that the situation is spiralling out of control.

Gary contacted the show to tell us about what he describes as a frustrating pattern in Dundalk town, where he says he regularly has to ask motorists to move from loading zones just to be able to carry out his deliveries

When he challenged a motorist yesterday about her illegal parking, he was met with abuse and threats.

Gary believes the chronic parking situation in the town is having a real impact on people.

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Fine Gael TD Paula Butterly has said it was an "oversight" not to declare that she had received payments under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme while questioning the Justice Minister about proposed changes to that very scheme at an Oireachtas committee this week.

Deputy Butterly, who is a practising barrister, received €2,667 under the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme in 2025. Under Oireachtas rules, TDs and Senators are required to declare any material interest when participating in debates or committee discussions if that interest has not already been declared in the Register of Members' Interests.

The matter has prompted questions about transparency, potential conflicts of interest, and whether the current rules governing declarations are sufficiently robust.

Deputy Butterly joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this.

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A jury has found a man guilty of the attempted murder of three children following the knife attack outside a school in Dublin's Parnell Square in November 2023.

Riad Bouchaker was also found guilty of causing serious harm to crèche worker Leanne Flynn, along with assault causing harm to two other children and a teenager. The attack left one young girl with life-changing brain injuries and sparked riots across Dublin city.

The jury rejected the defence's argument that Bouchaker did not have the intent required for attempted murder, bringing the high-profile trial to a close.

This morning on The Agenda we recapped on the trial and verdict that gripped the nation.

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It was announced this week that the Government is to introduce paid leave for women who experience a miscarriage before 23 weeks of pregnancy.

Under proposals being examined by Enterprise Minister Peter Burke, women would be entitled to five days' paid leave following an early miscarriage. 

It is also understood the same entitlement would apply to women who undergo an abortion.

For many women, miscarriage remains a deeply personal experience, with many returning to work almost immediately because there is currently no dedicated statutory leave available.

We were on joined on The Agenda this morning by Meath-based Fine Gael Senator Linda Nelson Murray, who bravely spoke to us about her own experience of multiple miscarriages.

Senator Nelson Murray has been campaigning for greater support for women affected by pregnancy loss.

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The political fallout following Jeffrey Donaldson’s guilty plea to child sex offences continues, with fresh details emerging in recent days about aspects of the former DUP leader’s private life while he was one of the most prominent figures in unionist politics.

Media reports have highlighted allegations relating to affairs, the use of gay saunas and excessive drinking, prompting further questions about how Donaldson was able to maintain what critics have described as a double life while serving as an MP and later as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party.

The revelations have reignited debate about accountability in public office, the culture within political parties, and whether there were warning signs that were missed during Donaldson’s decades-long political career.

Former DUP MLA Jim Wells has been outspoken in his criticism, describing Jeffrey Donaldson as an "unmitigated liar" and accusing him of deceiving colleagues and the public for years.

Jim Wells joined us on The Agenda this morning.

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The Irish Government has officially passed legislation to scrap the contentious 32-million annual passenger cap at Dublin Airport, a limit originally set in 2007. Ministers say the move will allow the airport to meet growing demand and support future growth.

But critics argue that removing the cap alone won't solve the airport's capacity problems. Dublin Airport Terminal 3 Limited says unless the Government also commits to building a second access route via the proposed M2 western link, congestion and transport bottlenecks will continue to limit the airport's potential.

So, is lifting the passenger cap enough, or does Dublin Airport need major infrastructure investment before it can expand any further?

We were joined on The Agenda this morning by Ulick McEvaddy, founder of Dublin Airport Terminal 3 Limited,

We were also joined by Graeme McQueen from the DAA.

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